NFW Collision #160!

As the intro winds down and cameras move to the ringside area, the music has barely faded out before it’s instantly replaced by The Amity Affliction’s “Pittsburgh.” The fans in the Colosseum give a pop as The Kingdom banner appears across the tron wall and NFW’s World Heavyweight Champion emerges from the tunnel onto the stage; championship belt draped over her shoulder. In her other hand, she’s carrying a new accessory in the form of a steel folding chair spray painted black and gold because of course it is. As the music booms on, Morgan Payne makes her way down towards the ring; belt on her shoulder, chair at her side.

Darlyn Fajardo: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the NFW World Heavyweight Champion, Morgan Payne!

Nick Hanson: Here comes the World Champ, folks!

Jim Reynolds: What’s she doing with that chair?

Nick Hanson: Your guess is as good as mine. She doesn’t seem to be in too terrible of a mood. Might not be out to hit anyone.

Morgan slides the chair into the ring and climbs the steps, stepping in under the top rope. She plays to the crowd for a moment, stepping up onto the middle turnbuckle to raise the World Title over her head. She steps back down, picks up her chair she’s brought, unfolds it and sets it down in the center of the ring before being handed the microphone from the ring announcer. Morgan steps back over to her chair and sits on it backwards, straddling the seat. She removes the title from her shoulder and clasps the strap through the back rest so as that it’s sitting on display in front of her as she folds one arm over the edge, props her other elbow up and lets her music fade out before speaking.

Morgan Payne: So, I–

She stops short as the crowd is still loud as hell, this being the first time they’ve seen her since the hellacious battle she had with her rival Milisandre Crowthorne and what was, at least for her, a monumental victory. Morgan cracks a smile; a thankful one. It even looks like her eyes might get a bit misty as she puits a hand on her chest then holds a fist out to the Chicago crowd. When they finally quiet down enough, she raises the microphone again.

Morgan Payne: So, I brought my own chair tonight. Whatchinz up to?

The crowd responds back in kind. Morgan grins and continues on.

Morgan Payne: I meant to do dis last week but on da real, I needed some time to gather thoughts. Two weeks ago was da end of a dark chapter in my life. One dat I was happy to close up. It felt like da period at da end of my rehab period. I learned, while gettin’ clean and sober dat rehab doesn’t stop when ya go home. Rehab continues until you confront every obstacle dat you faced during dat time and you do what’chu need to overcome it. At Rise of Legends, I stepped up to da very obstacle dat served as dat last little push over da edge for me. I faced dat demon. I faced Milisandre Crowthorne - Herald of da Great Dreamer. I squared back up wif da one dat caused me countless sleepless nights. Da one dat used my own insecurities as well as da trauma one of my best friends went through. I stared Crowthorne in da eye again and I showed her how different of a person I was. I showed her dat I wasn’t as fragile mentally anymore. I showed her dat I improved physically. I put it all on da line again and I conquered my demons. I beat Milisandre Crowthorne and I am STILL da World Champion!

There’s a pause and Chicago shows their support and respect. Morgan unclasps the title from around the back of the chair, stands from her seat and hoists the belt up again. As the crowd dies down, she brings the belt over her shoulder and sits back down in the chair.

Morgan Payne: Now, all my doubts are set aside. I’ve put all da bad shit behind me. I’ve won da title. I’ve defended da title. I can actually say I feel like a World Champion now. So all dat’s left to see now is where do I go from here? I took dis title off of a champion on her way out the door. I defended it against someone who I consider a career rival. Dat rival’s only one of a whole locker room of people back there. Now, ahnno I can’t just wave my hand and hand aht title shots. Dat ain’t how it works. Dat shit ain’t my call. However, comma!

There’s that hand of hers, shooting up with her index finger extended.

Morgan Payne: Know dat I’m here. Know dat I’m ready. I went through one hell of a fight in London to win it. I went through one hell of a fight to prove dat I ain’t a fluke champion. I’ll go through one hell of a fight over and over again to keep dis belt right where it is: on me! Dat being said, while ahnno I can’t pick and choose my battles, I’m tryna say dat ain’t what a fightin’ champion does. I worked five years to become a World Champion. Sure dat’s faster than some but lately, it’s longer than others. I’ll say dis much, I ain’t busted my ass for half a decade just to be a hot potato champ. So, whoever steps up next to try and take dis from me, I hate to use an old ass sayin’ but ya better bring a sack lunch, ‘cuz you in for a long ass ride. Line ‘em on up Clarkson ‘cuz as of Rise of Legends, I finally settled dahn in my seat at da top of da roster, shit dis being da longest running brand, call it top of da company. I’m settled in and I am damn comfy where I’m at. I ain’t lookin’ to get up anytime soon but any o’yinz back there wantin’ to move me? Lemme end dis one on a nerd note - shout aht to Faerie - you can certainly try!”

Morgan rises from her seat and tosses the microphone out to the ring announcer again as she climbs the turnbuckle and raises her title up once more with her music playing. She folds her chair back up and slides out of the ring, heading back up to the stage and into the tunnel she came out of.

Nick Hanson: Seems like the champion has, in no uncertain terms, laid down the gauntlet for management and the Collision roster!

Jim Reynolds: She wants to defend her title against the best this company has, Nicky!

Nick Hanson: I’m sure she’ll be accommodated!
The camera cuts to the outside of the Vlad Blackheart Colosseum, where Raion Kido stands, contemplating the bright starlit sky, and the glint of the stars replicated in his shining Gold Cloth.

Raion Kido: “When people think of magic, they think of a supernatural force - so has it been from the dawn of mankind. Anything the nascent human mind could not comprehend was a form of magic, brought forth by whatever higher beings were thought to be in Heaven, or lower daemons from Hell. Some thought to delve into these supernatural abilities, and sought to possess these unearthly powers so they could influence the world around them. At least that's how it started.”

When he looks at the camera, he gives a kindly smile.

Raion Kido: “Today, however, magic is an art - a performative art, no less than any other, hard to master, but with a lofty goal at its heart: to truly enrapture an audience and have them believe in something that is not. Ms. Zoey Madigan-Star is one such artist, and from what I know about her, she's a master at what she does as well.”

The Lion now clenches a fist and brings his elbow down in a swift move.

Raion Kido: “But here we come to the essence of this match, because I too know something about trying to bring the supernatural to life. You have heard me speak about the power of the universe, and you have at this point seen me demonstrate this in the ring - and in that there is also power, friends. It's the power to influence the world around you, just like those early magic practitioners sought. The power to make the incomprehensible come true, right before the people's very eyes. I said to Ms. Zoey that this was the power of magic against the power of the cosmos, and perhaps after this explanation you can see I have told the truth."

Now Raion throws his white cape back, which flaps in the breeze of the Windy City.

Raion Kido: “And just like magic is today, Ms. Sorceress Supreme, let us make this a performance that shall make the thousands in attendance, and the millions watching at home, completely mystified. Though this not be the Main Event, let this showdown between you and I be the talk of the night once the show is over. And whatever the outcome of this match, let the people that have witnessed it feel exactly that for which magic was born - to make something beyond the possibilities of nature, beyond any earthly explanation, materialize before their very eyes."

The Saint of Athena points a finger to the camera, now giving the audience a big, toothy grin, and a mischievous wink.

Raion Kido: “Because in the end, Ms. Magical Madien, that's exactly what happens when a Saint of Athena makes his cosmos burn!"

And with that, as Raion Kido turns and starts walking towards the Vlad Blackheart Colosseum, the camera feed cuts back to the ring.
In the parking lot, Cameron and Shawn Worley walk from a pickup truck towards the building.

Shawn Worley: Y’all think I can keep up with them kicks?

Cameron shrugs.

Cameron Worley: Y’all better cause if you ain’t keep away from ‘em, she gon take y’all’s fool head off! Ain’t wanna get caught bad.

Shawn sighs.

Shawn Worley: But do y’all think I can keep up with them kicks?

Cameron nods.

Cameron Worley: Damn right, y’all can keep up with them! You’ve always been better than y’all think y’all is, Shawn! Y’all always have been!

He pauses and then turns to face his younger brother.

Cameron Worley: You go out there and show them what we made of, Man! Show them we ain’t take no shit! Go out there and show them what we is capable of against one of them champions!

Shawn nods his agreement.

Shawn Worley: Hell yeah! Let’s fuckin’ go!

The two continue on towards the building, both of them fire up for Shawn’s match.
Backstage, Cameron Worley walks up to his brother and claps him on the back.

Cameron Worley: Y’all did awesome!

Shawn nods back just as excitedly.

Shawn Worley: Hell yeah, now y’all get to go do the same thing with Johnny Towers and…

He pauses.

Shawn Worley: What the hell does he call that championship he carries now?

Cameron shrugs.

Cameron Worley: I onno, it’s the damn Silver Mountain Championship and he fuckin’ knows it! He can call it somethin’ different but that don’t mean we gotta call it that! I’m ready to fight him!

Shawn Worley: Hell yeah, go get him, Cam!
“Chaos Is My Life” is playing as Johnny Towers pulls himself to his feet and kicks Cameron Worley out of the ring before snatching the Mayfair Hooligan Championship from the referee. He climbs the turnbuckle and raises it to the booing crowd, throwing the middle finger, slinging obscenities their way. He climbs back down and continues to celebrate in the center of the ring when his music is suddenly interrupted and replaced by the guttural yell of Corey Taylor and guitar riff drop to Slipknot’s “Psychosocial.”

Nick Hanson: Hey wait a minute. Wait one minute!! We know that music!

Jim Reynolds: Yeah, but what’s she doing out here?! Show’s over!!

Bloodied and confused, Johnny looks towards the stage as “Psycho” Saoirse Maguire comes walking out of the tunnel in her biker leathers, her Shieldmaidens vest and carrying a small black gym bag. Johnny turns to watch Saoirse head on and opens his arms out, asking what she’s doing out here. Does she wanna be the next one to take a crack at him? Saoirse just stands on the stage, glowering at the champion before she turns her attention to the bag in her hand and unzips it, reaching inside…

Jim Reynolds: What’s she doing…?

Nick Hanson: She’s got something, Jim. I don’t— Ohhhhhhhhh myyyyyyyy god!!!

Saoirse pulls from the bag…THE NFW SILVER MOUNTAIN CHAMPIONSHIP BELT! However it’s no longer burned and damaged like we last saw it. It’s been completely refurbished to mint condition! The crowd goes absolutely wild!

Nick Hanson: That’s the Silver Mountain Title!!!!! The Silver Mountain Title that Johnny Towers desecrated!!!!

Jim Reynolds: Well what’s she doing with it?! You’re not the champion Sao…Sor…Seer…Oh goddamn it. You’re not the champion, Psycho!!

Johnny seems to be stating the same thing as he’s flown into a rage, pointing and shaking his head at the belt in Saoirse’s hand before slapping his own title over his shoulder. He raises it up again. Up on the stage, Saoirse extends her arm out with the Silver Mountain Championship in her hand. She slowly raises it up over her head and extends her other arm to Johnny, thumb out to the side. She turns her thumb down, draws it across her throat in a cutting motion then throws Johnny the finger. Johnny motions her to come down to the ring in a frenzied state and flashes his Mayfair Hooligan Title to her again as the show comes to an end for the night.